Ali Sleeq ft. Steve Harper - LIVE at The Juke

A couple of weeks ago I passed by Jukebox Productions, who have set up a new and well equipped studio. They also have video production alongside the music side of things.

Zeus and his team took three videos of me playing some old blues tunes, featuring my trusty harmonica player Steve Harper.

These songs are as raw as possible, all taken in one take. So if you see any mistakes, it was intentional; such is the nature of the blues.

Hope you enjoy these videos as much as I did performing them! Thanks again to Jukebox Productions, which can be found @jukebox965 on Instagram and Youtube!

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1) You Gonna Need My Help - Muddy Waters cover (1950)

2) Sweet Home Chicago - Robert Johnson cover (1936)

3) Key to the Highway - Big Bill Broonzy cover (1944) PENDING UPLOAD

New Photo of Robert Johnson Found, 3rd in Existence

I have previously discussed the mystique revolving around the photographic history of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson. The fact that only two photos of him exist just add to the his allure.

Well, after the recent discovery that a supposed picture turned out to be a fake, a real third one has been unearthed and confirmed.

The Houston Chronicle has stated that it was found "in an antique Winthrop desk, filled with odds and ends, bought in a 2013 auction'.

Lois Gibson, a forensic artist for the Houston Police confirmed it, and the Johnson estate has as well.

This is another great piece of history in blues music.

Rory Block Covers Robert Johnson's 'Crossroads Blues' With Flair

This is one talented lady; Aurora "Rory" Block is a country blues guitar virtuoso and has been preserving this blues style in her own passionate ways.

Here's her covering the blues classic 'Crossroads Blues' by Robert Johnson:

Happy Birthday Robert Johnson, King of the Delta Blues

After reading today's earlier post, I hope you did go out and read up on Robert Johnson, or heard one of his tunes.

I don't think it needs to be explained who Robert Johnson is, nor what his contributions to music are. I've mentioned them on this blog countless of times, and named his collection the best album to be introduced to blues music. He is the most authoritative force in the genre.

Today marks his 102nd birthday, and here's his classic "Crossroads Blues".

Rare Third Photo of Robert Johnson Discovered

via The Guardian

Delta bluesman and legendary guitarist Robert Johnson was known for having only two known photographs of him, adding to his blues mystique.

Until now.

A third photograph has surfaced, and after forensic investigation, it has been confirmed that the man in the photo is really Robert Johnson.

According to The Guardian:

Forensic work on the photograph began in 2007, when Lois Gibson, who works with the Houston police department, analysed the features of the long-fingered figure holding the guitar. Gibson, who found the identity of the sailor kissing the nurse in the Life magazine photo of Times Square on VJ day the second world war ended, has ruled that "it appears the individual is Robert Johnson. All the features are consistent, if not identical." The only differences, she added, were due to the angle of the camera or the lighting.

This is truly a magnificent find, as this sheds more light on this fascinating figure, who was the main influence on many artists, from Muddy Waters to Eric Clapton and almost every musician really.

Read the full story [here] , and below is a Robert Johnson song called "Me and the Devil Blues", which is the basis of the legend of him selling his soul to the devil in exchange for becoming a great musician.